This week a large Colombian importer with the guidance of the U.S. Grains Council, networked with U.S. grains exporters in Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana, which then lead to the importer purchasing over 20,000 metric tons (787,000 bushels) of U.S. corn, its first purchase of U.S. corn in over two years. With seven plants in Colombia, this importer is the largest company in Colombia making animal feed.

In 2008, U.S. corn share was 80 percent of the Colombian corn market. The long delay in ratification of the U.S.-Colombian Free Trade Agreement contributed to a long decline in U.S. market share, and by 2011 U.S. corn share was only 21 percent. The Colombian importer had previously purchased grain from South American countries but due to less than desirable quality and unreliable supply the importer decided to purchase U.S. grains again.

Meeting with the Colombian importer helps the Council’s work to achieve one of its goals to reach out and foster partnerships that build valued, long-lasting relationships with U.S. corn, sorghum, barley farmers, and leaders, agribusinesses, policymakers and administrators, as well as our international customers and partners.